Myself.

Myself  

Edgar Guest  

I have to live with myself, and so, 

I want to be fit for myself to know; 

I want to be able as days go by, 

Always to look myself straight in the eye; 

I don't want to stand with the setting sun 

And hate myself for the things I've done.

I don't want to keep on a closet shelf 

A lot of secrets about myself, 

And fool myself as I come and go 

Into thinking that nobody else will know 

The kind of man I really am; 

I don't want to dress myself up in sham.

I want to go out with my head erect, 

I want to deserve all men's respect;  

But here in this struggle for fame and pelf, 

I want to be able to like myself. 

I don't want to think as I come and go 

That I'm bluster and bluff and empty show.

I never can hide myself from me, 

I see what others may never see, 

I know what others may never know, 

I never can fool myself- and so, 

Whatever happens, I want to be  

Self-respecting and conscience free.